17/01/2026
THE PRICE OF NEGLIGENCE
EPISODE 1
In the dead of night, Danielâs eyes fluttered open. A soft sound, faint and distant, echoed through the house. It was the sound of sobbing.
He sat up in fear, looking around. âIs Mom crying?â he thought. Quietly, he tiptoed out of his room, following the sound. It grew louder as he approached the living room.
âHello?â he whispered, fear creeping into his voice.
As he took another step, a voice called behind him, âDaniel?â
He froze. It was his mother, Amara.
âWhy are you awake?â Amara asked, concern in her eyes.
âI... I heard someone crying,â Daniel whispered.
Amara frowned. âCrying? Thereâs no one here but us. Go back to your room.â
Reluctantly, Daniel followed her back to his room.
Immediately he laid down to sleep, he saw a girl of about same age as himself, standing right by his bedside, crying profusely.
She was dressed in white sparkling gown.
Daniel sat up immediately but the girl was gone. He looked around in the room but he didnât see her anymore. He was so terrified and he closed his eyes tightly and covered himself up on his bed. He dozed off eventually.
It was their first night in their newly rented duplex. Amara and her son, Daniel had relocated to that city as Amara had gotten a new job as the manager of the biggest shopping mall in the city.
She was able to rent the apartment through the help of her police-friend, Ifeoma, who lived in that city.
The next night, the same thing happened again. Daniel woke up to the sound of sobbing. Although, he was still scared, this time, he was determined to find out who it was. Slowly, he followed the sound again. Written by Hilda's Forum
But once more, Amaraâs voice stopped him. âDaniel, what are you doing?â she asked sternly.
âI swear I heard crying, Mom!â Daniel insisted.
âThereâs no crying, Daniel. Itâs just your imagination. Go to bed,â she said, though unease flashed in her eyes.
For days, the sobbing continued, each night louder and clearer. Daniel grew restless. Finally, one night, he decided to confront the sound, no matter what.
He stepped out of his room, heart racing. He prayed silently that his mother shouldnât come out and send him back as usual.
The sobbing was clearer as he tiptoed down the hallway with his hands trembling. The sound led him to the staircase.
âWhoâs there?â he whispered.
The sobbing paused for a moment, then resumed. It was coming from behind the staircase.
Danielâs eyes widened. Slowly, he crouched down, peeking behind the staircase. What he saw made him gasp.
The same girl he had seen in his room some nights back, sat curled up, her face buried in her knees. Her white dress was stained this time around and her tears were endless. Written by Hilda's Forum
âWho... who are you?â Daniel whispered, too afraid to move.
The girl looked up, her eyes filled with sadness. âPlease... help me,â she whispered.
Daniel felt his heart ache. He wanted to run, but something about the girlâs pain held him there.
âHelp you? How?â he asked softly.
My mother will be here any moment and she wonât let me talk to you. Why not come to my room like you did the last time?
Truly, before she could answer, Daniel heard his motherâs footsteps.
âDaniel, where are you?â Amara called.
The girl vanished immediately.
âHere, Mom,â Daniel replied, stepping away from the staircase, his mind racing. âI saw her again. I saw the crying girl,â he said softly
Amara yelled at him this time, warning him never to step out in the middle of the night again. I am sorry mom, he apologized and walked back to his room
He couldnât stop thinking about the crying girl behind the staircase. Her pain, her haunting voice, and the tears in her eyes filled his thoughts.
That night, as the moon cast a pale glow over the room, Daniel lay in bed, hoping to see her again.
A soft whisper broke through the silence. âDaniel...â
His eyes snapped open. There it was againâthe faint sound of sobbing, but this time, it was right in his room. He sat up and the girl was standing by the door, crying
Who are you and what do you want with me? Daniel asked
She stopped crying and told him that she needed his help
âWhatâs your name?â Daniel asked gently.
âBrenda,â she whispered.
âPlease, tell me what happened,â Daniel urged, feeling an overwhelming sadness.
I am so sorry to disturb you, but you are the only one that can help me. My story is a bit lengthy. Please bear with me.
My mother is Dr Juliet, the owner of this building you live in. About two years ago, she remarried, after the demise of my father, Brenda began slowly, tears streaming down her face.
TO BE CONTINUEDâŚ
Written by Emmanuel Emiohe {Relationship Matter}
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